Explore the incredible wilderness of the Northern Territory and Western Australia

Experience the beautiful rugged Kimberley on this true Australian adventure from Darwin to Broome. Uncover some of the country’s most incredible, untouched territory on an all-terrain journey along the Gibb River Road. Learn the customs of the traditional land-owners while cruising through the gorges of Nitmiluk, sail across the vast waters of Lake Argyle, and squeeze through the narrow rock passages of the striped Bungle Bungles. Soak up the idyllic isolation of remote stations like El Questro and head out to discover secret palm-shaded waterholes. Make your way to the remote Mitchell Plateau and see its majestic four-tiered waterfall, discover the unbelievably picturesque oases of the Bell, Galvans, Adcock gorges, and find hidden caves and indigenous history at Tunnel Creek. Come face-to-face with vast horizons and immense wilderness with this unforgettable taste of Australia at its most untamed.

Why you'll love this trip

Climb aboard a Nitnit Dreaming Cultural Cruise through the inspiring natural wonder of the Nitmiluk Gorge – made up of 13 different chasms carved by the Katherine River – and acquire an understanding of Jawoyn customs

The red domes of the Bungle Bungle Ranges in Purnululu National Park form one of the most iconic Australian landscapes in existence. You'll have two whole days to explore the gorges and valleys of the park, not to mention soak up a few fiery sunsets

Enjoy plenty of time to discover the untamed natural beauty of El Questro Station. Paddle around in waterfalls, hike through gorges and access remote parts of this huge park on adventurous 4WD expeditions

Test the 4WD as you take on the rugged terrain of the Mitchell Plateau. This extraordinary area is home to the huge, four-tiered Mitchell Falls – a stunning testament to the power and scale of nature

Discover a hidden highlight of the West Kimberley with a stop in the idyllic retreat of Bell Gorge

Tunnell Creek has a rich Aboriginal and bushranger history. Walk through the underground passage with an Indigenous Bunuba guide, learning about the culture and traditions of the first Australians

Is this trip right for you?

This trip requires a HIGH level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to truly enjoy the surrounding nature. Some long hikes will really get the blood pumping, and involve wading through water and clambering over rocks. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

On some days of the trip, you will spend several hours driving, often through very sparse areas of desert. Some drives along off-road tracks can be bumpy as you really get 'amongst it'. Get to know your fellow travellers and sit back to enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel.

Temperatures in Western Australia are extreme. During the day the weather can be hot (and the Australian sun is strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures really drop, so ensure you have base layers and warm clothing.

We don't recommend this trip for older passengers who are perhaps less fit or agile.

Meals Included

Departing Darwin at approximately 7am we travel south to the natural spring of Edith Falls. After a break and a refreshing dip, we head for the remote outback town of Katherine, home to the spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge. This inspiring natural wonder comprises 13 different gorges, carved over a millennia by the Katherine River. On an afternoon Nitnit Dreaming Cultural Cruise, we explore two of these gorges and discover the customs of the traditional land owners, the Jawoyn people.

Included Activities

Nitnit Dreaming Cultural Cruise

Edith Falls

Meals Included

We continue west along the Victoria Highway and cross the border into Western Australia as we travel to expansive Lake Argyle, the heart of the Ord River Irrigation System which has transformed this dry region into a lush agricultural oasis. Visit the historic Durack Homestead Museum or take on one of the many bush trails to explore the area. A sunset cruise on the lake is a stunning way to end the day.

Included Activities

Durack Homestead Museum

Optional Activities

Lake Argyle Sunset Cruise - AUD40

Meals Included

Head south down the Great Northern Highway to Purnululu National Park, home of the magnificent Bungle Bungles. Two nights camping in the heart of the National Park allows a full day to explore the highlights of this extraordinary National Park, the most famous of which, are the Bungle Bungle domes. Rivers created this landscape of unique orange and black striped 'beehive' geological formations over a period of 20 million years. Unbelievably, only the locals knew it existed until the early 1980's; once discovered by others, the area was made a national park in 1987. We explore Echidna Chasm (2km), known for its towering Livistonia Palm trees, and take a short walk (2-3km) into stunning Cathedral Gorge, where towering rocks create a natural amphitheatre. There is time in the afternoon to take an optional scenic flight and enjoy a birds-eye view of the beehive domes (approx $400pp, own expense) to put it all into perspective.

Included Activities

Echidna Chasm Walk

Cathedral Gorge Walk (Bungle Bungle)

Optional Activities

Bungle Bungle Scenic Flight - AUD375

Meals Included

Turn back north to the iconic El Questro Wilderness Park. Prepare for two days of idyllic isolation and access to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Kimberley. Take the opportunity relax and to join one or more of the many activities on offer. The area is blessed with some of the most stunning gorges and waterholes in the whole of Western Australia. Emma Gorge lies at the end of a well-marked track, with 100 metre high walls around a horseshoe crystal clear pool filled by a small waterfall, and a hidden little bath warmed by thermal water that trickles from a crevice. El Questro Gorge is another stunning highlight, scrambling over boulders to rock pools filled by little waterfalls – scenery that’s straight out of movie. A refreshing dip in the Zebedee Springs is also another ‘must-do’, where Livistonia palm trees and lush tropical vegetation surround a series of pools that sit at the base of bright red cliff. Perhaps take a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge (own expense), or simply explore this beautiful wilderness park at your own leisure.

Included Activities

Emma Gorge

Zebedee Springs

Optional Activities

Chamberlain Gorge Cruise - AUD68

Meals Included

Head along the Gibb River Road to the North Kimberley to another oasis in the outback – Drysdale River Station. Over 1 million acres, this family owned and operated cattle station runs approximately 10,000 head of cattle, and gives you a real sense of how the outback does things on a massive scale. Hang out in the true blue Australian outback, surrounded by its magical scenery and welcoming sense of isolation. On arrival you might want to get out and explore the surroundings, or sit back and enjoy a cold drink in the beer garden of one of Australia’s most remote bars, then warm yourself around the log fire in the night air.

Meals Included

Veer off-road and cross to the Mitchell Plateau for a real highlight of the trip. Take on rugged country in the 4WD, taking the rough Kalumburu Road then turning off onto the Mitchell Plateau Track. The drive is unlike any other on the Gibb River Road, as the vegetation transforms and you ford rivers and ramble through ancient Livistonia palm forests to emerge on the savannah, where two days of camping in the national park await. The park is home to the magnificent four-tiered Mitchell Falls, and the scale and power of nature here is unforgettable. Your time here will include the chance of a dip in the Little and Big Merten Falls, a viewing of the Bradshaw rock art, and, if you so choose, a helicopter flight with incredible views of this extraordinary landscape.

Included Activities

Merten falls

Mitchell Falls helicopter flight

Meals Included

Descending from the plateau, travel to the family owned Mt Elizabeth Station Homestead, where you'll be able to enjoy the scenery and see what Kimberley cattle station life is really like. Surrounded by water spots, rocky rises and grasslands, you will be sure to take a great photo, enjoy bush walks and settle in for a lovely evening in the Kimberley outback.

Meals Included

make the most of the oases of the lily-laden Galvans Gorge and the tranquil retreat of Adcock Gorge, where you’ll pause for a refreshing swim. The afternoon is devoted to exploring Bell Gorge, which is a hidden highlight of the West Kimberley. This idyllic retreat, considered amongst the most beautiful gorge on the Gibb River Road, boasts cascading waterfalls and crystal clear pools formed over millions of years, all surrounded by a horseshoe of bright orange rock wall. There are smooth rocks to lounge on and welcome areas of shade. It’s an easy place to while away a few hours! You’ll camp tonight at Silent Grove.

Included Activities

Adcock Gorge

Bell Gorge

Meals Included

Once a great reef 350 million years ago, Windjana Gorge is now home to a diverse array of animals and plants. Experience the stunning natural beauty of this outback oasis today. Beneath gorge walls that rise 90 metres in height, search for freshwater crocodiles, local birdlife and Indigenous bush tucker, before setting up camp for the night.

Included Activities

Windjana Gorge

Meals Included

Spend the morning exploring Tunnel Creek with a local Indigenous Bunuba guide, who will share ancient rock art and reveal the legend of his ancestor, Jandamarra – an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the tunnel as a hide-out in the late 1800. In this 750-metre cave system carved through the Napier Range, discover stalactites, secret caves and a large variety of wildlife. Don't miss a refreshing swim in an idyllic waterhole. After lunch, we return to the Gibb River Road and visit the Derby 'Boab Prison Tree' before completing your journey to Broome.

Included Activities

Tunnel Creek exploration walk

Boab Prison Tree

Meals Included

You are free to depart Broome at any time today. If you have more time we recommend you consider a Broome Sights town tour to discover the secrets of this fabulous outback town, or take a trip up to Cape Leveque for a day.

Next trip departures

Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. This trip starts in Darwin with an arrival day and finishes in Broome after breakfast on day 15.
2. This trip requires a sleeping bag
3. This trip is also available in Original style, see code PKTDB-O
4. This trip is also available in reverse, see codes PKTBD-B

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.